Williams sports complex plans moving ahead

Fields are part of agreement between Chrin landfill company and the township.

July 16, 2010|By Christopher Baxter, OF THE MORNING CALL

The Chrin Bros. Sanitary Landfill will proceed with plans to build a $2 million sports complex in Williams Township after the supervisors granted unanimous approval for the project Wednesday.

The 10-acre site between Berger and Wottrings Mill roads will feature parking, a regulation soccer field and a youth baseball field. The project will be paid for by Chrin and then leased to the township.

The Northampton County Conservation District is reviewing the project, and work will begin once it issues approval, Greg Chrin, manager of the landfill, said in a news release.

Township officials requested the fields as part of an agreement signed with Chrin a year ago that guaranteed the company would not develop the 40-acre Wottrings Mill tract. Aside from the recreation fields, the remaining land will be preserved as open space and used for agriculture.

Supervisor Chairman George Washburn said he was pleased with the fields, but would have liked to see a refreshment stand and permanent restrooms included in the original agreement with Chrin. Washburn opposed the pact prior to becoming a supervisor.

A few residents have previously spoken out against the fields because of their location near the landfill and the possibility of sinkholes on the site. But Chrin maintains the land is sound and the project will result in a "first-class sports complex".

In other business Wednesday, the supervisors approved a new budget committee to review the township's finances and assist in the annual budgeting process. The committee will begin meeting next week, Washburn said.

Officials also pressed forward with plans to lower public sewer rates after a review by the township's sewer committee. Washburn said the current rates are far higher than needed to run and maintain the system. The new rates will be advertised as part of an ordinance in the coming weeks.